GERMAN ELECTIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 31 March 1936, Page 5

GERMAN ELECTIONS

NATION OF “YES” MEN “GREATEST VICTORY IN HISTORY” (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) BERLIN, 28th March. Results of the polling were brought to the town halls and thence to the Propaganda Ministry in Berlin for totalling. The first result, broadcast at 8.30 p.m., disclosed that 981 per cent, of 200,000 electors went to the poll and that 99.24 per cent, of the votes were cast in favour of Herr Hitler. Announcements proceeded steadily at about this ratio, a message at 9.55 p.m. showing 33,927,207 votes for and 388,494 against Herr Hitler. It could safely be said that Germany had demonstrated that it was a nation of “Yes” men. The total number entitled to vote was not mentioned, therefore it is impossible to ascertain the number who abstained. The final vote will be broadcast throughout the world. Herr Hitler several times this eveninir showed himself on the balcony of tlie Chancellery to wildly cheering and singing crowds, who shouted menacinrr w hen it was announced by radio that thousands of anti-Hitler votes had been Tlie “Angriff” brought out a special edition announcing the “greatest victory in history.”

OFFICIAL PROVISIONAL FIGURES

Official provisional figures for the German election are: Total electorate, 45 408.191; for Herr Hitler, 44,389,140; against® Her Hitler, 542,898; abstainers, 470,153. The “Ja” vote is thus 9(.<t> per cent, of the whole electorate. Later the Government made an end to awkward fractions and issued revised figures, showing tlie number in favour of Herr Hitler to be 99 pel cent. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says that tlie anti-Hitlei vote consists of invalid or spoilt papers. Tlie new Reichstag will pvobably number exactly 700. Herr Hitler, shortly after midnight, was serenaded by choirs singing the couplet:

“Dearest leader, show your head, For even you must go to bed.”

Herr Hitler duly reappeared on the balcony and was greeted with wild shouts of “Heil” from scores of thousands. The Fulirer, evidently under the influence of deep emotion, strode swiftly to the centre of the balcony and raised his arm in salute. He repeated this from other portions of the balcony in order to be visible to the remainder of the crowd. Bands played “Deutschland Über Alles” and the “Horst WesseF ’song, the multitude fervently joining in. Herr Hitler received the election committee, headed by Dr Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda and thanked them. Dr Goebbels has ordered the whole population to hang out flags today in celebration of the triumph. “GERMANY IS HITLER’S” (Received 31st March, 9.25 a.m.) BERLIN, 30th March. German press comment can be summed up in the phrase “Germany is Hitler’s.” . The Ministry of Propaganda denies that blank papers were counted as proHitler votes. RESULTS NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY LONDON, 30th March. The “News-Chronicle,” in a leader, says that the monstrous size of the German election majority proves its unreality. ■ It is inconceivable that so vast a mass of electors, except under pressure could so nearly approach unanimity. The Press throughout Europe refused to take the results seriously. At Vienna “Der Morgen” declares: “It was not even a caricature of elections. No sane person can believe That the Centre Party, Stahllielmers, Socialists and Communists have entirely disappeared.”

ELASTIC INTERPRETATION COUNTING THE BALLOT PAPERS RESULT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED (Received 31st March, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, 30th March. “The Times” Berlin correspondent says that despite the intimation - that papers which failed to unequivocally indicate the voters’ wishes would be invalid, officials at some polling stations counted for Hitler even ballot papers which had been torn in halves or on which the names of Nazi candidates had been scored out. However, this elastic interpretation, , even if widespread, did not substantially affect the result, as Herr Hitler’s concentration on foreign political issues ensured the support of many millions who were disgruntled on religious, political and economic grounds before the remilitarisation of the Rhineland. CONCILIATORY GESTURE HOPED FOR The “Sun-Herald” learns that now the election is over there is every hope that a conciliatory gesture from Herr Hitler would considerably improve the

international situation. It is expected that Herr Hitler at first will offer to withdraw some troops from the Belgian frontier, and secondly suggest an arrangement by which the fortification of the Rhineland will he delayed, COAL AND RAW MATERIALS EXPORTS TO ITALY REPORTED TO HAVE'"KEEN STOPPED (Received 31st March, 9.25 a.m.) ROME, 30th March. • Official circles expect Herr Hitler's attitude to stiffen as the result of the election. Germany is reported to have stopped exports of coal and raw materials to Italy and demanded payment in gold of outstanding debts.